Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’, selected for its fruit flavor, fruit size, and yield, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘108T181’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’, were asexually propagated via stolons in McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. in September of 2013. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October of 2013.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Ventura County, Calif. for six years (2013 to 2019). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ventura County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Spreading plant growth habit;     -   2. Serrate margin of terminal leaflet; and     -   3. Inflorescence on the same level as foliage.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ was selected for its fruit flavor, fruit size, and yield.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 24 weeks old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

FIG. 4A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’. FIG. 4B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

FIG. 6 illustrates plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2013 to 2019. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ was taken from plants that were 24 weeks old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.— Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventySix’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary variety ‘108T181’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             23,400). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—24.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—38.9 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—10.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.3 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Weak.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 173A (Dark reddish orange). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS NN137B (Greyish olive green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 6.53 cm. Width: 5.58 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.2. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 22. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate. Shape             in cross section: Concave. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—16.9 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.65 mm.         -   Attitude of hairs.—Horizontal.         -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—0.17. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—8.75 mm.         -   Diameter.—2.14 mm. -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.57 cm.         -   Width.—16.34 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Weak.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 36D (Pale yellowish pink). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Horizontal.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 16.69 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of             flowers per plant: 68.         -   Petal.—Length: 11.51 mm. Width: 11.49 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 5. Color of             upper side: RHS NN155D (White).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 34.30 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 14.62 mm. Width: 5.30 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 10.60. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—53.7 mm.         -   Width.—45.1 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.2.         -   Fruit hollow length.—28.9 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—11.1 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.6.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS N45A (Moderate red).         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42B (Strong reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS N34D (Moderately reddish orange). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—January to May.         -   Harvest interval.—February to June.         -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.         -   Productivity.—7,891 kg to 11,873 kg of fruit per acre per             season from five-month-old plants when grown in Ventura             County, Calif. -   Resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress: Two-spotted     spider mite (Tetranychus urticae): Moderately resistant. Botrytis     fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea): Moderately susceptible. Powdery mildew     (Podosphaera macularis): Moderately resistant. Anthracnose crown rot     (Colletotrichum acutatum): Moderately resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘108T181’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ has higher yield, better flavor, larger berry size, and more vigorous canopy as compared to ‘108T181’.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ differs from the male parent ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ has higher yield, better flavor, larger berry size, and more vigorous canopy as compared to ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 25,698) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ has a spreading plant growth habit, a serrate margin of terminal leaflet, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, and achenes level with fruit surface, whereas ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, a crenate margin of terminal leaflet, inflorescence above foliage, and achenes below fruit surface.

‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFortySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,813) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ has a spreading plant growth habit, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, and an upwards attitude of sepals on fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawFortySeven’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, inflorescence above foliage, and an upwards to outwards attitude of sepals on fruit. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventySix’ as shown and described herein. 